Katie Ball, a Waukee High School student who has Down syndrome, received big cheers at Friday night’s football game when she was introduced to the public as homecoming queen.View this story.“I was so excited, but I wasn’t surprised because a lot of friends told me they voted for me,” Ball said.Ball, 17, has participated in the school’s swim team, played a Munchkin in the theater department’s production of "The Wizard of Oz" and is a member of the Sparkle cheer team that performs at football games.Ball’s parents, David and Karen, said they are proud of their daughter and said she loves being part of Waukee extracurricular activities.“If you have a clipboard and a pencil, Katie Ball’s in,” David said. “She’ll sign up for anything. Whatever your program is, she’s in. She wants to do everything, wants to be out with her friends, peers. She doesn’t want to miss out.”

WAUKEE, Iowa —

Katie Ball, a Waukee High School student who has Down syndrome, received big cheers at Friday night’s football game when she was introduced to the public as homecoming queen.

“I was so excited, but I wasn’t surprised because a lot of friends told me they voted for me,” Ball said.

Ball, 17, has participated in the school’s swim team, played a Munchkin in the theater department’s production of "The Wizard of Oz" and is a member of the Sparkle cheer team that performs at football games.

Ball’s parents, David and Karen, said they are proud of their daughter and said she loves being part of Waukee extracurricular activities.

“If you have a clipboard and a pencil, Katie Ball’s in,” David said. “She’ll sign up for anything. Whatever your program is, she’s in. She wants to do everything, wants to be out with her friends, peers. She doesn’t want to miss out.”